Method and system for performing automated telemarketing

ABSTRACT

A method for performing automated telemarketing comprising receiving potential customer data including a telephone number. A telephone call is initiated to the telephone number using an auto-dialing device. Notification is received at a voice platform that the potential customer has answered the telephone call. The voice platform includes a text-to-speech device and a speech recognition device. In response to receiving the notification, a verbal greeting is sent to the potential customer. The greeting is provided by the text-to-speech device. The method further comprises conversing with the potential customer via the voice platform in response to sending the verbal greeting. The conversing includes receiving a message from the potential customer via the speech recognition device. Information is provided to the potential customer responsive to the message. The telephone call is ended responsive to the conversing and telephone call data is transmitted to a database in response to the telephone call ending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to a method for performing automated telemarketing and in particular, to a method for utilizing an interactive speech application located on a voice platform to initiate and execute telemarketing telephone calls and dynamic dialog call-backs to potential customers.

Computer-based interactive speech applications are widely used in telephone systems to answer incoming calls as well as to perform various tasks including gathering information from callers, providing information to callers, and connecting callers with appropriate parties. Typically, the call flow is activated when the system receives an incoming call, and begins with a system-generated greeting followed, if needed, by a list of available options. The application waits for a response from the caller and processes the response when received. The application must be able to recognize what the caller said in order to determine what should happen next. The application performs this determination by converting the caller's speech into a text of distinct words (speech recognition); analyzing the recognized words grammatically and then systematically representing its meaning (natural language understanding); obtaining targeted data based on that meaning's representation from an appropriate online source (information retrieval); building a text sentence that presents the retrieved data in the user's preferred language (language generation); and converting that text sentence into computer-generated speech (speech synthesis or text-to-speech conversion).

As interactive speech application technology continually improves, applications for utilizing speech recognition for information retrieval systems are becoming a more popular resource for consumers. As an example, “Info-by-Voice for Atlanta” was an automated, voice-operated telephone portal that was available to consumers in the metropolitan area surrounding Atlanta, Ga. who wished to obtain directory assistance information concerning topics such as restaurants, traffic information, stock quotes, weather, sports and business news. By using this service, a caller provided information in response to a series of questions from a pre-recorded voice, and then received a list of names and contact information for businesses matching the desired criteria. For example, if a caller submitted a request for Chinese restaurants, the system might have identified five places for the caller to consider. In this manner, an audio information retrieval directory can provide a useful and convenient resource for local and topical information.

Telemarketing operations currently employ automatic dialing equipment that can dial a phone number, detect an off-hook answer, determine if the off-hook condition is “live” (vs. an answering machine) and then deliver a prerecorded message or connect the called party to a telemarketer. Typically, the called party understands that the silence on the line prior to the connection to the message or telemarketer means that the call is from a telemarketer. Because of this, the called party often hangs up the phone before the telemarketer gets on the line or before the prerecorded message is played. In many cases, answering machines with brief greetings may trigger the connection so that the telemarketer hears the recorded message on the answering machine. This can lead to wasted time for the telemarketer. Further, telemarketing is labor intensive and is utilized for both basic and complex product/service calls.

In addition, customer service operations typically involve having a service representative physically calling or returning a call to a customer with basic information, perhaps about a service appointment, notification, update or confirmation. This process is labor intensive and requires that a service representative is available to make the telephone calls when the customer is available.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One aspect is a method for performing automated telemarketing that comprises receiving potential customer data including a telephone number. A telephone call is initiated to the telephone number using an auto-dialing device. Notification is received at a voice platform that the potential customer has answered the telephone call. The voice platform includes a text-to-speech device and a speech recognition device. In response to receiving the notification, a verbal greeting is sent to the potential customer. The greeting is provided by the text-to-speech device. The method further comprises conversing with the potential customer via the voice platform in response to sending the verbal greeting. The conversing includes receiving a message from the potential customer via the speech recognition device. Information is provided to the potential customer responsive to the message. The telephone call is ended responsive to the conversing and telephone call data is transmitted to a database in response to the telephone call ending.

Another aspect is a method for performing automated telemarketing. The method comprises receiving potential customer data including a telephone number. A telephone call is initiated to the telephone number using an auto-dialing device. Notification is received at a voice platform that the potential customer has answered the telephone call, where the voice platform includes a text-to-speech device. In response to receiving the notification, a verbal greeting is sent to the potential customer. The greeting is provided by a text-to-speech device located on a voice platform within a pre-specified time period of receiving the notification. In addition, the telephone call is transferred to a call center in response to receiving the notification. Telephone call data is transmitted to a database in response to transferring the telephone call to a call center.

In another aspect, a computer program product for performing automated telemarketing comprises a storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method comprises receiving potential customer data including a telephone number. A telephone call is initiated to the telephone number using an auto-dialing device. Notification is received at a voice platform that the potential customer has answered the telephone call. The voice platform includes a text-to-speech device and a speech recognition device. In response to receiving the notification, a verbal greeting is sent to the potential customer. The greeting is provided by the text-to-speech device. The method further comprises conversing with the potential customer via the voice platform in response to sending the verbal greeting. The conversing includes receiving a message from the potential customer via the speech recognition device, and providing information to the potential customer that is responsive to the message from the potential customer. The telephone call is ended responsive to the conversing and telephone call data is transmitted to a database in response to the telephone call ending.

In another aspect, a computer program product for performing automated telemarketing comprises a storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method comprises receiving potential customer data including a telephone number. A telephone call is initiated to the telephone number using an auto-dialing device. Notification is received at a voice platform that the potential customer has answered the telephone call, where the voice platform includes a text-to-speech device. In response to receiving the notification, a verbal greeting is sent to the potential customer. The greeting is provided by a text-to-speech device located on a voice platform within a pre-specified time period of receiving the notification. In addition, the telephone call is transferred to a call center in response to receiving the notification. Telephone call data is transmitted to a database in response to transferring the telephone call to a call center.

In a further aspect, a system for performing automated telemarketing comprises a network and a voice platform in communication with the network. The voice platform includes an auto-dialing device, a speech recognition device, and a text-to-speech device and includes instructions to implement a method. The method comprises receiving potential customer data via the network including a telephone number. A telephone call is initiated via the network to the telephone number using the auto-dialing device. Notification is received at the voice platform via the network that the potential customer has answered the telephone call. In response to receiving the notification, a verbal greeting is sent via the network to the potential customer. The greeting is provided by the text-to-speech device. The method further comprises conversing with the potential customer via the voice platform and the network in response to sending the verbal greeting. The conversing includes receiving a message from the potential customer via the speech recognition device and the network, and providing information via the network to the potential customer responsive to the message from the potential customer. The telephone call is ended responsive to the conversing and telephone call data is transmitted to a database in response to the telephone call ending.

In a further aspect, a system for performing automated telemarketing comprises a network, a call center in communication with the network and a voice platform in communication with the network. The voice platform includes an auto-dialing device and a text-to-speech device and instructions to implement a method. The method comprises receiving potential customer data via the network including a telephone number. A telephone call is initiated via the network to the telephone number using the auto-dialing device. Notification is received at the voice platform via the network that the potential customer has answered the telephone call. In response to receiving the notification, a verbal greeting is sent via the network to the potential customer. The greeting is provided by the text-to-speech device within a pre-specified time period of receiving the notification. The telephone call is transferred to the call center via the network in response to receiving the notification. Telephone call data is transmitted to a database in response to the transferring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the exemplary drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGURES:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for performing telemarketing utilizing an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a database layout of an exemplary contact database utilized by an embodiment of the present invention, including both general and application specific data;

FIG. 3 is a database layout of an exemplary telemarketing application database utilized by an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a process flow for an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention utilizes auto-dialing and/or out dialing equipment empowered with an automated interactive speech enabled voice application to deliver a conversational dialog to a potential customer. This conversational voice application greets and engages the called party, peaking their interest and inviting their participation in a business message or promotion. The speech technology, involving speech recognition and natural language understanding methods, permits a dynamic conversation with the called party that determines the interests of the called party and then tailors the conversation to the messages heard from the called party. In this approach, the called party, a potential customer, is more likely to give the calling service an opportunity to deliver a message and to listen to related offers. Additional information may be pulled from a central database to assist in the conversation. A transfer to a customer service representative is also possible if desired or needed at any time during the call. By engaging the called party, outbound dialing resources are more productive and the number of successful marketing calls increase. For example, if the called party indicates they are not interested, the call ends and the calling platform's port is reapplied to a new call. Called parties that show interest can hear a message that fits their needs based on their responses to qualifying questions. This may lead to the ability to quickly strike an interest with the called party and make the “cold call” a “desired” call.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for performing telemarketing. The exemplary system includes a voice platform 110, a data center 108, telephones 104 and a call center 106, with related equipment and service representatives, all connected to a network 102. Telephone calls to potential customers located at the telephones 104 are generated by auto-dialing equipment included in the voice platform 110. Data relevant to each telephone call is retrieved as needed from one or more databases located on the voice platform 110 and/or at the data center 108. If interest exists, or more information is requested, the called party may be connected to the appropriate call center 106 for follow-up with a customer service representative. This connection to a call center 106 may be performed by bridging at the voice platform or through redirection in the network 102.

The network 102 may be any type of known network including, but not limited to, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a global network (e.g. Internet), a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP), a virtual private network (VPN), and an intranet. The network 102 may be implemented using a wireless network or any kind of physical network implementation known in the art. One or more of the voice platform 110, the telephones 104, the data center 108 and the call center 106 may be connected to the network 102 in a wireless fashion. In addition, one or more of the voice platform 110, the data center 108 and the call center 106 may be physically located in the same geographic location or they may be at three different geographic locations as depicted in FIG. 1. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a PSTN is utilized to provide communication between the voice platform 110, the telephones 104 and the call center 106; and the Internet is utilized to provide communication between the voice platform 110, the data center 108 and the call center 106.

The voice platform 110 is the foundation on which the telemarketing voice application is developed and deployed. It executes the commands and logic specified by the respective telemarketing voice application, provides the speech processing capabilities (e.g., speech recognition, text-to-speech), interfaces to databases at the data center 108, interfaces to the call center 106 and provides system management. Any voice platform 110 known in the art may be utilized in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention (e.g.,Tellme Studio from Tellme Networks, Inc. and Freespeech from HeyAnita, Inc.). In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, speech recognition is provided by a purchased software package (e.g., Nuance Version 8.0 by Nuance Communications, Inc. and OpenSpeech Recognition from SpeechWorks International, Inc.). Similarly, text-to-speech capability may be provided by a purchased product (e.g., Speechify from SpeechWorks International, Inc.). The voice platform 110 also includes access to a contact database of potential customers as well as a telemarketing database with application information to relay to the potential customer depending on variables such as past buying habits and geographic location. The components of the voice platform 110 may be located at the same geographic location as depicted in FIG. 1 or they may be located in different geographic locations and communicate via the network 102.

For example, an embodiment of the present invention may be tailored to call all customers who have purchased treadmills from particular sport stores within a specified six-month time period. The contact database would include customer data (e.g., telephone number, name, and purchase information). The telemarketing application would include phrases such as “I hope you are enjoying the treadmill” and “I am calling today to tell you about a special offer on a weight machine.” A language model would also store expected phrases (e.g., responses or messages) from the potential customer and a pointer to phrases in the telemarketing database that correspond to the potential customer responses, or messages. At the end of the telephone call, the contact database could be updated with information such as “never call again”, “call again in three days”, “send information about weight machine”, or “call sent to call center.”

The success of speech recognition depends on properly predicting what the called party will say. At least two approaches, known in the art, may be utilized to predict the set of responses expected from the potential customer. One approach is to use a deterministic directed language model that involves having a person, or a team of people, looking at the application and related data elements, predicting responses to all phrases and writing out all expected responses. These expected responses along with data in the telemarketing database are utilized to create a language model. Another approach is a statistical language model approach where responses made to the questions asked by a live telemarketer are collected from a large number of telemarketing calls and processed through a voice analysis tool to create a grammar model and related meanings. Any voice analysis tools (e.g., as provided by Nuance Communications or by SpeechWorks International, Inc for Call Routing) known in the art may be utilized with an embodiment of the present invention. This process of data collection and language model tuning may be performed on a periodic basis to keep the respective language models up-to-date. The language model is stored on a storage device located on the voice platform 110 or at the data center 108.

The telephones 104 depicted in FIG. 1 include conventional landline telephones and wireless mobile phones. The telephones are located in a variety of geographic locations (e.g., homes, cars, offices) and in communication with the voice platform 110 via the network 102. Also depicted in FIG. 1 is a call center 106 for sales or service. In an exemplary embodiment, the call center 106 houses telemarketers that are ready to talk to potential customers via telephone when a telephone call is routed to the call center 106 from the voice platform 110. FIG. 1 also includes a data center 108 in communication with the network 102. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the data center 108 includes a storage device containing application databases and legacy computer systems that provide input to the telemarketing voice application located on the voice platform 110. For example, an event occurring in a computer system (e.g., a customer purchase is recorded) at the data center 108 may trigger a customer service related telephone call (e.g., a follow up call on sales satisfaction or a product survey) to be initiated by the voice platform 110.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a storage device is also included in the voice platform 110 to store the language model. The storage devices located at one or both of the voice platform 110 and the data center 108 may be implemented using a variety of devices for storing electronic information. It is understood that the storage devices may be implemented using memory contained in a host system located at the data center 108 or at the voice platform 110 or they may be separate physical devices. The storage devices are logically addressable as a consolidated data source across a distributed environment that includes a network 102. The physical data may be located in a variety of geographic locations depending on application and access requirements. Information stored in the storage devices may be retrieved and manipulated via the voice platform 110 or via a host system located at the data center 108. The storage devices include the telemarketing database and the contact database as well as the scripting and language models.

An alternate embodiment of an exemplary system for performing automated prepaid account renewal includes one or more multimodal devices in communication with the voice platform 110 via the network 102. Multimodal devices may be utilized to apply the most appropriate medium for the task at hand (e.g., voice, visual data). For example, for applications performed primarily by a user in motion, speech may be the best medium to use to communicate with the user. Alternatively, if a user requests a listing of all restaurants serving a particular type of food and in a particular city or location, a visual list of all restaurants fitting the category may be presented to the user. If the list only includes one or two restaurants, the list may be relayed verbally to the user. In addition, telemarketing calls may be received by a multimodal device with visual content that complements the voiced scripting. The visual content may include a visual display of options, features and/or packages for the product or service. In another scenario, a visual reminder message is left pertaining to the renewal of services or products. A variety of multimodal scenarios may be implemented with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and the scenarios will vary based on user requirements for particular applications.

An example of an application that may be performed utilizing an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is presented below. The example telemarketing voice application is an application to call potential voters (i.e., potential customers) to inform them about the stands on particular issues taken by candidates running for elected office. In addition, the application allows a potential voter to leave a message, or comment, for the candidates. An example dialog follows:

-   -   Called Party: Hello. (or Hi or Yes)     -   System: Hello, how are you?     -   Called party: Just Fine. (or Okay or “who is this?”)     -   System: I'm calling on behalf of “Vote America”. Can I answer         any questions you may have about the upcoming Bob Jones-Sally         Smith House of Representatives election this August 20th?     -   Called Party: Sure.     -   System: I know their voting records and I can tell you where         they stand on specific issues. I can speak to taxes, schools,         national defense, water quality, the environment, medical         benefits and the country's energy plans. Which topic is of         interest?     -   Called Party: I am interested in schools.     -   System: Are you interested in the stand Bob Jones has taken,         Sally Smith has taken, or both?     -   Called Party: etc.     -   System: <Later> Would you like to leave a comment for either         candidate?     -   Called Party: I would like to tell Bob Jones not to increase         taxes.     -   System: I will forward your message to Bob Jones. Do you have         any other questions or comments for the candidates?     -   Called Party: Yes. Take me off of your call list, but you can         send me information through the mail.     -   System: Okay, we will take you off of the call list and use the         mail to keep you informed about the candidates in the future.         Thank you. Goodbye.

FIG. 2 is a database layout of an exemplary contact database utilized by an embodiment of the present invention to perform the example dialog shown above. The contact database may be located on a storage device at the voice platform 110 or at the data center 108. The contact database includes general contact attributes 202 and contact profiles 212. The general contact attributes 202 include name, phone number, address and zip code. The general contact attributes 202 and contact profiles 212 are utilized to determine which candidates and corresponding issues to discuss with the called party. The contact profiles attributes 212 include age, marital status, job type, interests, family size, family age, income, political party, education and religious affiliation. The general contact attributes 202 and contact profile attributes 212 may be utilized to collect non-application specific information about a potential client that may be useful in any application. The contact database also includes a call back status attribute 204 that is utilized to store information such as “don't call back” or “call back in a day.” The date for next call attribute 206 stores a date (e.g., in mm/dd/yy format) for the next call to the potential voter. The previous call attributes 208 include length of previous call, subject of previous call and outcome of previous call. The previous call attributes 208 may also include records of earlier calls. This information may be utilized to determine the information and type of delivery for the next telephone call to the called party.

The telemarketing application specific contact data attributes 210 in the contact database include party affiliation, voted in last election, income bracket, age, follow-up call and follow-up information. The telemarketing application specific contact data attributes 210 along with the contact profiles 212 and the general contact attributes 202 may be utilized to determine the messages relayed to the called party by a particular application. For example, if the called party did not vote in the last election, the telemarketing application located on the voice platform 110 may be programmed to include a message about the importance of voting or may be programmed to offer the called party assistance in getting to a polling location for the next election. In addition, the application specific contact data attributes 210 may reflect information about a follow-up call or follow-up information in response to a request from the called party for either a follow-up call or follow-up information. The contact database will contain different attributes depending on the specific application being implemented by the voice platform. The contact database will provide information to the telemarketing voice application (e.g., phone number, zip code) and will receive information to store in the contact database from the telemarketing voice application (e.g., follow-up call, follow-up information).

FIG. 3 is a database layout of an exemplary telemarketing database utilized by an embodiment of the present invention to perform the example dialog shown above. The telemarketing database may be located on a storage device at the voice platform 110 or at the data center 108. The telemarketing database includes a zip code attribute 302. Depending on the zip code of the called party, information for a different combination of candidates, offices and election dates may be offered to the called party. In an alternate exemplary embodiment, other attribute values are stored and utilized to match a geographic area to a particular election (e.g., area code of telephone number, address). Referring to FIG. 3, each zip code attribute 302 may correspond to more than one candidate's attribute 304 and office attribute 306. The office attribute 306 for a particular zip code 302 is the key into the issue attributes 310. Each issue attribute 310 value includes one or more sentences describing the stand taken by the one, two, or more candidates running for the office contained in the corresponding office attribute 310. Example issues include: schools, taxes, national defense, medical benefits, energy policy and the environment. In addition, the telemarketing database depicted in FIG. 3 includes a comments attribute 312 to reflect comments for the candidates received from the called parties.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the telemarketing database is utilized along with the contact database in the voice application to carry on a conversation with the called party. The contact database is utilized to determine who to call and to tailor the message delivered. For example, the contact database depicted in FIG. 2 could be utilized to cause all registered republicans living in a particular zip code to be given one set of information, all registered democrats living in the particular zip code a second set of information, and all unregistered voters a third set of information. In addition, the contact database could break down the information delivered (e.g., the issues and candidate stands) based on income bracket and/or age. The telemarketing database includes the information to be delivered to the called parties. The voice application with its grammar or language model includes all expected responses from the called parties and pointers to the telemarketing database entries to perform the next action based on the responses or messages received from the called party. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the next action may include sending the call to a call center, reciting a scripted answer from the telemarketing database, recording information received from the called party or ending the call.

Any application requiring a telephone call to be made to deliver information to a called party may be implemented by an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For example, an embodiment of the present invention may be utilized to perform customer service operations. Telephone calls may be auto-dialed to perform functions such as reminding customers of a service appointment or requesting an appointment, and confirming a delivery date and time. Telemarketing “cold calls” may also be implemented using an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The list of called parties may be determined based on data contained in a contact database.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a process flow for an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. At step 402, a potential customer is identified based on data contained in a contact database. At step 404, the potential customer is called using auto-dialing equipment located at the voice platform 110. The telemarketing voice application greets the potential customer at step 406 in response to the potential customer answering the telephone 104. The voice greeting to the potential customer is generated by a text-to-speech conversion device based on data contained in the contact database. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the telemarketing voice application transmits a greeting within a pre-specified time period of receiving a notification that the customer has answered the telephone. If this pre-specified time period is relatively short (e.g., one second) customer hang-ups may be avoided. At step 408, the application asks the potential customer a question, or makes a statement to the potential customer using data contained in the telemarketing database and a text-to-speech conversion device. A response, or message, is received from the potential customer at step 410. The response is interpreted by a speech recognition device and compared to the list of expected responses listed in the language model. A determination is made at step 412 to see if the response leads to another question. This determination is made and the next question indicated by a telemarketing voice application, using data contained in the contact database, the language model and the telemarketing database as input. If the response does lead to another question, the question related to the telemarketing database as indicated by the telemarketing voice application is asked of the called party at step 408. If the response did not lead to another question, step 414 is performed to determine if the response leads to a scripted answer.

If the response does lead to a scripted answer, step 416 is performed. Again, the determination is made and the scripted response indicated by the telemarketing voice application, using data contained in the contact database, the language model and the telemarketing database as input. If the response does lead to a scripted answer then the scripted answer contained in the telemarketing database and indicated by the telemarketing voice application is read to the called party at step 416. If the response did not lead to a scripted answer, step 418 is performed to determine if the response leads to ending the call. The determination is made in a manner similar to the one described in reference to step 414. If the response does lead to ending the call, then the scripted response indicated by the telemarketing voice application is read to the potential customer at step 420 and then step 422 is performed.

At step 422 the databases are updated based on information exchanged during the call. For example, the contact database may be updated with a data value to indicate not to call this potential customer back or to indicate that this potential customer would like written materials to be sent. Alternatively, the telemarketing database may be updated to reflect comments were received from the potential customer. At step 424 the telemarketing voice application, for this particular telephone call ends. If the response did not lead to ending the call, as determined at step 418, step 426 is performed and the telephone call is sent to a call center 106. Being transferred to a call center 206 at step 426 may occur for a variety of reasons such as: the telemarketing voice application located on the voice platform 110 cannot understand the response, or message, received from the potential customer; the potential customer has requested to be transferred to a call center 206, and the telemarketing voice application has determined that the next step is to transfer the telephone call to the call center.

As described previously, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a telemarketing voice application, located on a voice platform 110 for calling and greeting a called party, offering specific information, understanding the called party's interest and selection(s) and then delivering the requested information or executing follow-up action. Possible follow-up action may include additional information delivered then or later, setting a follow-up appointment for a sales call or service, or connecting the called party to a sales or service representative. The dialog between the voice enabled application and the called party may utilize structured prompts paired with appropriate grammars that understand the varied responses of the called party. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, call reports and call logs are stored on a database located on a storage device included in the voice platform 110 or the data center 108 to provide performance measurements. The call reports and call logs database may reflect call outcomes such as “don't call me again”, or “connect me to customer service”. These call logs and call reports may also be monitored by supervisors to help ensure quality. In addition, both recorded voice prompts for static scripting and synthesized voice (TTS) prompts for dynamic scripting may be employed by an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Further, multiple language offerings are possible by adapting the scripting and grammars for each language.

An embodiment of the present invention may be utilized as a back-end to an existing telemarketing platform. The potential customer is called using the auto-dialing device. Once the telemarketing voice application has determined that a potential customer (i.e., not an answering machine) has answered the phone, it generates the greeting to the potential customer. While the telemarketing voice application on the voice platform 110 is greeting the potential customer, it is also transferring the telephone call to a telemarketer at the call center 106. In this manner, the potential customer will not hear silence on the line prior to the telemarketer getting on the line. This may lead to a reduced number of potential customers hanging up the telephone before the telemarketer can market the product or service.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may lead to supplementing or replacing sales or service personnel for performing ‘call backs’, generating telemarketing sales calls, delivering targeted information and securing confirmations or sales leads. This may lead to a lower cost per call and for a more consistent message to be sent to each potential customer. In addition, a conversational exchange between the automated system and the called party will “understand” if the called end is “live” or an answering machine. This allows for fewer answering machine calls and correspondingly, more “live” calls to be transferred to the call center 106 and thus may lead to higher productivity for sales and service personnel. Also, the ability to provide automated conversation, without the time gap signaling to the called party that the call is from a telemarketer, may lead to presenting the telemarketing content to more prospective customers.

As described above, the embodiments of the invention may be embodied in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. Embodiments of the invention may also be embodied in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. An embodiment of the present invention can also be embodied in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. 

1. A method for performing automated telemarketing, said method comprising: receiving potential customer data including a telephone number; initiating a telephone call to said telephone number using an auto-dialing technology; receiving notification that said potential customer has answered said telephone call; sending a verbal greeting to said potential customer in response to said receiving notification, wherein said greeting is provided by a text-to-speech technology; conversing with said potential customer in response to said sending, wherein said conversing includes: receiving a message from said potential customer via a speech recognition technology; and providing information via said text-to-speech technology to said potential customer responsive to said message; and ending said telephone call responsive to said conversing.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said ending includes transferring said telephone call to a call center.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein said transferring occurs when said message includes a request to be transferred to said call center.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein said transferring occurs when said providing information includes instructions to perform said transferring.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said receiving a message includes: receiving input voice data; and utilizing said speech recognition technology to translate said input voice data into text data and meaning.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said providing information includes: accessing a language model to correlate said text data with an entry in a telemarketing database; utilizing said text-to-speech technology to translate said entry into output voice data; and communicating said output voice data to said potential customer.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein said providing information includes: accessing a language model and a contact database to correlate said text data with an entry in a telemarketing database; utilizing said text-to-speech technology to translate said entry into output voice data; and communicating said output voice data to said potential customer.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein said providing information further includes transmitting visual data to said potential customer.
 9. The method of claim 5 wherein said providing information includes: accessing a language model to correlate said text data with an entry in a telemarketing database; utilizing said text-to-speech technology to translate said entry into output voice data; and communicating said output voice data to said potential customer.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein said providing information further includes transmitting visual data to said potential customer.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein said potential customer data is received from a contact database.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein said conversing is multi-lingual and a language is chosen based on the language spoken by the potential customer.
 13. The method of claim 1 wherein said sending a verbal greeting occurs within a pre-specified time period of said receiving notification.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein said pre-specified time period is less than one second.
 15. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting telephone call data to a database in response to said ending.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein said telephone call data includes telephone call logging data.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein said telephone call data includes instructions about calling back said potential customer.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein said telephone call data includes instructions about sending said potential customer follow-up information.
 19. The method of claim 15 wherein said telephone call data includes comments from said potential customer.
 20. The method of claim 15 wherein said telephone call data is reviewed by a supervisor.
 21. The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting potential customer data based on a zip code, and wherein said potential customer data further includes said zip code.
 22. The method of claim 1 wherein said information provided to said potential customer is provided by said text-to-speech technology, and said information includes at least one of political candidate information, sales information, service information, and account maintenance information.
 23. The method of claim 1 wherein said verbal greeting and said information provided to said potential customer are tailored based upon said potential customer data, wherein said potential customer data further includes a name, an address, a zip code, and at least one of an age, a marital status, a job type, interests, a family size, a family age, an income, a political party, an education, and a religious affiliation.
 24. The method of claim 1 wherein said telephone call is a marketing call.
 25. The method of claim 1 wherein said telephone call is a follow-up or reminder call.
 26. A method for performing automated telemarketing, said method comprising: receiving potential customer data including a telephone number; initiating a telephone call to said telephone number using an auto-dialing technology; receiving notification that said potential customer has answered said telephone call; sending a verbal greeting to said potential customer in response to said receiving notification, wherein said greeting is provided by a text-to-speech technology within a pre-specified time period of said receiving notification; transferring said telephone call to a call center in response to receiving said notification; and transmitting telephone call data to a database in response to said transferring.
 27. The method of claim 26 wherein said pre-specified time period is less than one second.
 28. A computer program product for performing automated telemarketing, the computer program product comprising: a storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method comprising: receiving potential customer data including a telephone number; initiating a telephone call to said telephone number using an auto-dialing technology; receiving notification that said potential customer has answered said telephone call; sending a verbal greeting to said potential customer in response to said receiving notification, wherein said greeting is provided by a text-to-speech technology; conversing with said potential customer in response to said sending, wherein said conversing includes: receiving a message from said potential customer via a speech recognition technology; and providing information via said text-to-speech technology to said potential customer responsive to said message; and ending said telephone call responsive to said conversing.
 29. A computer program product for performing automated telemarketing, the computer program product comprising: a storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method comprising: receiving potential customer data including a telephone number; initiating a telephone call to said telephone number using an auto-dialing technology; receiving notification that said potential customer has answered said telephone call; sending a verbal greeting to said potential customer in response to said receiving notification, wherein said greeting is provided by a text-to-speech technology within a pre-specified time period of said receiving notification; transferring said telephone call to a call center in response to receiving said notification; and transmitting telephone call data to a database in response to said transferring.
 30. A system for performing automated telemarketing, the system comprising: a network; and a platform including an auto-dialing technology, a speech recognition technology and a text-to-speech technology in communication with said network, said platform including instructions to implement the method comprising: receiving potential customer data via said network including a telephone number; initiating a telephone call via said network to said telephone number using the auto-dialing technology; receiving notification at the platform via said network that said potential customer has answered said telephone call; sending a verbal greeting via said network to said potential customer in response to said receiving notification, wherein said greeting is provided by said text-to-speech technology; conversing with said potential customer via said voice platform and said network in response to said sending, wherein said conversing includes: receiving a message from said potential customer via said speech recognition technology and said network; and providing information via said text-to-speech technology through said network to said potential customer responsive to said message; and ending said telephone call responsive to said conversing.
 31. The system of claim 30 wherein said network is a public switched telephone network.
 32. The system of claim 30 wherein said network is the Internet.
 33. The system of claim 30 wherein said network includes a public switched telephone network and the Internet.
 34. The system of claim 30 wherein said network includes a voice over Internet protocol.
 35. The system of claim 30 wherein said sending a verbal greeting occurs within a pre-specified time period of said receiving notification.
 36. The system of claim 35 wherein said pre-specified time period is less than one second.
 37. The system of claim 30 further comprising a call center in communication with said network and wherein said ending said telephone call includes transferring said telephone call to said call center.
 38. The system of claim 30 further comprising a data center including a storage device in communication with said network and wherein said database is located on said storage device.
 39. A system for performing automated telemarketing, the system comprising: a network; a call center in communication with said network; and a platform including an auto-dialing technology and a text-to-speech technology in communication with said network, said platform including instructions to implement the method comprising: receiving a potential customer data via said network including a telephone number; initiating a telephone call via said network to said telephone number using an auto-dialing technology; receiving notification at the platform via said network that said potential customer has answered said telephone call; sending a verbal greeting via said network to said potential customer in response to said receiving notification, wherein said greeting is provided by said text-to-speech technology within a pre-specified time period of said receiving notification; transferring said telephone call to the call center via said network in response to receiving said notification; and transmitting telephone call data to a database in response to said transferring. 